Mahindra Racing Formula E Team Announces New Partnerships

Mahindra Racing has announced two new partners and a new test driver in the run-up to the new season of the Formula E all-electric single-seater all-electric racing series. Umicore and Voxdale, both Belgium-based companies, have been announced as Mahindra Racing’s Official Technology Partner and Official Design & Technology Supplier respectively for the next three years. The team has also announced the addition of Sam Dejonghe as its simulator and development driver, the 26-year old Belgian driver has been racing in the European GT and touring car championships.

Umicore is known for their expertise in recycling lithium-ion batteries, developing materials for rechargeable batteries and photovoltaics among other green technologies. The tie not only adds to Mahindra’s message of sustainability but will also help the team develop their 12V battery for the 2018-19 season when all teams will have the freedom to implement their own battery technologies unlike of the current Spark-Renault SRT_01E which has mostly standardised parts to keep costs low. Future seasons of Formula E will not feature a car swap mid-way through a race, as is the case now because of battery charge limitations, and developing a reliable but light battery is a high priority for all the teams.

The partnership with Voxdale will help Mahindra Racing harness their technical prowess. Voxdale’s expertise in computational analytics and simulation should help the team develop their race car at a much faster pace. The results of this tie will also be more evident beginning the fifth season of the Formula E Championship which will begin in the last quarter of 2018.

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“We are thrilled at the culmination of this innovative partnership. Mahindra Racing are the first (and only) Formula E team to have achieved accreditation in the FIA Institute’s Sustainability Programme. We are entirely committed to minimising environmental impact through a strong environmental policy. Our partnership with Umicore and Voxdale further validates our commitment to the eco-revolution by thus completing the cycle of creation, efficient and optimal use, and recycling of materials used in the field of electrical energy. Sustainability as an outcome of whatever we undertake is non-optional, everything ahead of that is progress toward the next benchmark,” said Dilbagh Gill, CEO and Team Principal Mahindra Racing.

Mahindra Racing has tasted success in the futuristic racing series recently. In the previous season, the team finished third in the constructor’s championship with their drivers - Swede Felix Rosenqvist and German Nick Heidfeld - securing the 3rd and 7th spot in the driver’s championship. Formula E is expected to become more exciting from season 5, when Audi, BMW and Nissan join the fray as factory teams. Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are also set to join in beginning season 6 in 2019. Mahindra will have tough competition to look out for but it should make for very interesting racing.